Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Wheel Bearing

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Wheel Bearing

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: Non-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Same as podmods, just... not for pods
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14806
Printed Date: 03 May 2025 at 10:46pm
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Topic: Wheel Bearing

Posted By: Vector1952
Subject: Wheel Bearing
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2021 at 2:56pm

Had an issue with my 2017 rpod 179 wheel bearing, started smoking..bought a drum kit had a mechanic put it on..200 miles later that drunk kit started smoking. Now stuck in NJ...possibly an axel? Which one?

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Xxxx7

Replies:

Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2021 at 3:05pm

You sure it's the bearing smoking and not the brakes on the new assembly? They could have been over tightened.

fred

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2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2021 at 3:17pm

You could see the bearing there was no dust cover on outside hub lost it the first time Tire is slanted.

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Xxxx7

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2021 at 3:47pm

Stuck brakes could overheat the whole drum including the bearings. Does the wheel turn freely?

Does the wheel have a lot of play when you push and pull on it with that side of the trailer lifted? If yes then you have a bad bearing.

If not and you have significant negative camber (top of wheel slanted inward) then most likely you do have a bent axle or spindle. Hit any curbs or big potholes? How much weight do you have on that axle?

Not likely though that a bent axle or spindle would destroy a bearing quickly like that. 0Was the spindle badly scored or damaged the first round? p

When I bought a couple of Lippert drum kits (brake issues in my case) the outer bearings were just loose in the box and none of the bearings were what I would call properly greased. I ended up cleaning up and repacking the bearings before I installed them.

By all means get a new dust cover too....

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2021 at 4:16pm

Believe the spindle had mark from bearing, he used a small grind wheel on it

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Xxxx7

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2021 at 8:37pm

Unlikely but it is possible the bearing was set too tight, causing the wheel not to turn freely even though there would be no side to side endplay. Proper bearing tightness is just enough to take the end play out and no more.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2021 at 9:05pm

The wheel didn't turn freely said would be fine after tire was on

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Xxxx7

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 7:28am

Originally posted by Vector1952

The wheel didn't turn freely said would be fine after tire was on

Either the bearing was over tightened, the brake assembly was too tight, or a combination of both. Also a lack of adequate grease on the bearing/cup assembly would speed up the process as well.

Hopefully next time you will have a qualified mechanic who is knowledgeable and will do the job correctly.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 8:09am

Possibly, was traveling from Nashville broke down in PA on a Sat around noon Was recommended a heavy dutytruck repair company...Got the mechanic on call, what else could I do?!! in this situation

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Xxxx7

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 9:06am

You could DIY it. It's not really a difficult install, but you can't rush it because the brakes and bearings need to be properly adjusted. After more than one similar frustrating experience with mechanics either doing a poor job or ripping me off I just plan on fixing anything short of a major trans or engine rebuild myself and carry a fairly hefty toolbox to do it with.

In your case I think you have more than just a bearing/brake problem. You are reporting a camber problem too, right? Top of wheel tilted in? Unless the bearings are totally destroyed causing the wheel to be floppy when jacked up you either have a bent spindle or a bent axle. Can you confirm?

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 4:25pm

I believe your correct...I'm back in RI, left trailer in NJ.
Mechanic will take drum off and let me know if it's the axel...this is a family business, 50 years in business 5 star rating...I'm not sure if he can change the axel but can recommend someone..time will tell
Do you need special equipment to change an axel?

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Xxxx7

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 6:24am

No special tools are needed to replace an axle its just bolted to the frame or riser kit. If you buy a bare axle you will need to swap your brake plate assemblies to the new axle, also not difficult.

But first you need to determine whether it's the axle tube that is bent (more common) or the spindle. If it's the spindle then you'll need to replace the axle, you can't remove the spindle/torsion arms from the axle because theyre embedded in rubber. If it's the axle tube a good trailer shop should be able to bend it back.

You can tell it it's the axle because it will lose some or all of its "crown" in the center. Run a stringline along the bottom of the axle tube from end to end, there should be around 3/16 of an inch gap in the center.

Of course, you could conceivably have both a bent spindle and a bent axle....

The 179 and similar size rpods are prone to bent axle tubes because they are relatively heavy trailers and the axle tubes aren't attached to the trailer frame at the ends, they attachments are inboard, which puts much greater bending force on them.

Whether you get a new axle or bend the existing one back you should reinforce it or youre likely to get the same problem again. To reinforce it get a piece of 2x2 steel angle cut to length so it just clears the torsion arms at each end. Have it bent in the center about 3/16 inch by putting it in a hydraulic press with the angle resting on the legs and the corner up. Then get 4 square ubolts and bolt it to the bottom of the axle and the ends. If you do a search a couple of years back I have some photos and the name of a place to get the ubolts made up.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Vector1952
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 8:20am

Would anyone know where I can get an axel for my rpod 179

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Xxxx7

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 8:59am

I believe you asked this in another topic, which I answered. For my axle reinforcement and pictures, see my mods (link in signature). Be aware that you cannot weld anything to the axle tube. It would immediately void any warranty and probably destroy the rubber inside that provides the torsion. My welding was to the angle and to the brackets I made.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS